Los Alamos County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Los Alamos boards consider water loan, medical facility, ballot questions

Los Alamos County boards and commissions held seven meetings over the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The most consequential items on the agendas included a proposed $3.25 million loan for waterline replacements, a new medical facility site plan, and ballot questions for the November election.

Water and utilities

The Board of Public Utilities held a public hearing on Aug. 19 on Ordinance No. 759, which would authorize a $3,252,000 loan/grant from the New Mexico Finance Authority for Phases II and III of the Denver Steels Waterline Replacements. The board also considered a $224,000 contract with Bohannon Huston, Inc. for a Revised Long-Range Water Supply Plan, a task order under AGR 22-18a with Ritecon Construction, Inc., and Resolution No. 26-22 to write off uncollectible utility accounts from fiscal year 2022. The agenda included approval of the 2026 Electric Coordination Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy/NNSA and an update on the Foxtail Flats business plan. The board reconvened on Aug. 21 to continue agenda item 7.a.

Medical facility site plan

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Aug. 12 on SIT-2026-0083, a site plan for a 37,277-square-foot, two-story medical facility at 401 Trinity Drive in the General Commercial zone. The commission also approved minutes from its July 22 meeting and heard public comments.

Ballot questions and council work

The County Council work session on Aug. 18 included public hearings on three resolutions that would place ballot questions before voters in the Nov. 3 general election. The questions address term limits for boards and commissions, the composition of those bodies, and the priority of budgeted expenditures. The council also received briefings on the Electric Coordination Agreement with LANL, the Lodger's Tax Advisory Board, the Personnel Board, and a streetlight maintenance overview. Consent agenda items included ratification of $12,708.33 in Art in Public Places funds and approval of $39,180 plus gross receipts tax for a public art archive with Creative West. The council also introduced Ordinance No. 762, which would grant a cable franchise to Comcast.

Public art archive

The Art in Public Places Advisory Board met on Aug. 10 to consider recommending that the County Council approve $12,708.33 in previously expended funds and a new contract with Creative West for $39,180 plus gross receipts tax for the Public Art Archive web-based solution.

Parks and environment

The Parks and Recreation Board met on Aug. 13 to approve minutes from July 9, discuss working group assignments, and receive a presentation on the Canyon Median Design. The Environmental Sustainability Board met on Aug. 20 to hear an update on the biosolids composting operation, determine working groups, and receive the July 2026 Residential Sustainability Report. No major decisions were listed for either board.

Coming up

• **Aug. 25** – Personnel Board meeting canceled.
• **Aug. 26** – Board of Public Utilities holds an annual strategic planning work session.
• **Sep. 1** – Property Valuation Protest Board hears five property tax valuation protests, including cases on Grand Canyon Dr., 36th St., Trinity Dr., and Central Ave.
• **Sep. 2** – Property Valuation Protest Board hears 11 property tax valuation protests filed by Luminosa LLC and Del Norte Credit Union for properties on Trinity Drive and Rover Boulevard.

Los Alamos County boards weigh $230M housing bond, pool repairs, rate changes

This week, Los Alamos County boards and committees met on several items, including a proposed $230 million workforce housing bond, a $1.18 million pool improvement amendment, and a $9.2 million power purchase agreement. All meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions have been reported.

County Council – July 28

The council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-371, which would amend multiple sections of the Development Code (zoning regulations). It also considered Resolution No. 26-16 to temporarily relocate a voter convenience center for the November 3, 2026 general election.

On the consent agenda were:

• Amendment No. 1 to AGR25-922 with Lee-Sure Pools for Olympic Pool mechanical improvements ($1,179,113.46)
• A power purchase agreement not to exceed $9,195,750.00 for August–September 2026 power pool load
• A services agreement with Southwest Fire Defense for tree trimming near power lines ($1,000,000.00 over seven years)

The council also discussed a letter opposing revocation of public land near Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Separately, the council held a closed session for goal setting for the County Attorney and County Manager.

The Personnel Board meeting scheduled for the same day was cancelled.

County Council – August 4

The council held a public hearing on Resolution No. 26-17, which would approve up to $230,000,000 in workforce housing revenue bonds for the Madrone - Los Alamos Housing I, LLC, related to the Coyote Mesa project.

The council also introduced ordinances to amend gas service rates (Chapter 40, Sections 40-151 and 40-152) and to adopt a local economic development project for VE Holdings NM LLC. A proposed single-use plastic bag ban was discussed.

The consent agenda included:

• A $174,616 task order for the Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station 3
• A $75,000 lion sculpture for the police station
• A $757,179 E911 grant
• A $403,706.31 software renewal

Board of Public Utilities – August 5

The board held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-387 to amend Water Service Rate Schedules. It also received presentations on UNM & NMSU Pathways to Zero Natural Gas Usage, the Electric Coordination Agreement, a future Plug-in Solar Policy, and an annual update on Wastewater Systems.

Other boards

• **Historic Preservation Advisory Board (Aug. 5):** Reviewed the 2026 work plan and draft minutes from June 10.
• **Health Council (Aug. 6):** Heard a presentation from Nick Boukas, Director of New Mexico's Behavioral Health Services Division, and reviewed member project updates.
• **Transportation Board (Aug. 6):** Received updates on Public Works projects and a staff report from the Public Works Director. No votes on ordinances or contracts were scheduled.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next two weeks.

Los Alamos County boards weigh utility rates, downtown redevelopment, and $9.2M power agreement

Los Alamos County's advisory boards and council put several high-dollar contracts and land-use decisions on their agendas over the past two weeks, but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, it is not yet possible to confirm what was decided. The agendas themselves outline what each body planned to take up.

Board of Public Utilities — July 22

The Board of Public Utilities scheduled public hearings on two rate ordinances: gas service rates (Ordinance No. 02-385) and water service rate schedules (No. 02-387). The agenda also listed a proposed power purchase agreement not to exceed $9,195,750.00 to cover August and September 2026 power pool load.

Other items included a $1,000,000.00 contract with Southwest Fire Defense, LLC for seven years of power-line tree trimming, a bid award to AUI, Inc. of $849,570.00 for LASS Cured in Place Piping, and proposed changes to the Utilities Assistance Program under DPU Rule GR-18.

Planning and Zoning Commission — July 22

The commission was set to hold public hearings on three applications. The largest in scope was a site-plan adoption for 1735 Central Avenue, proposing a mixed-use redevelopment in the Downtown Los Alamos (DTLA) district with a boutique hotel, restaurant, food court, bar, retail, and event spaces. Desirae Lujan was listed as the presenter.

The commission also planned to consider a site-plan adoption for a commercial parking lot of roughly 1.70 acres at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive to serve Los Alamos High School and a mobile food-vending court, plus a variance request (VAR-2026-0019) to modify Type B Buffer Zone planting requirements and allow operation of nine mobile food-vending vehicles. Danyelle Valdez was listed as presenter for the Diamond Drive items. No dollar amounts were listed for any of the applications.

County Council — July 28

The council's regular-session agenda included a public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-371, which would amend multiple sections of the Development Code under zoning case ZCA-2026-0019. Councilors were also set to consider Resolution No. 26-16 to temporarily relocate a voter convenience center for the November 3, 2026 general election.

Business items listed a $1,179,113.46 amendment (Amendment No. 1 to AGR25-922 with Lee-Sure Pools) for Olympic Pool mechanical system improvements, and a letter opposing revocation of public land near Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The consent agenda contained the same $9,195,750.00 power purchase agreement and the $1,000,000.00 Southwest Fire Defense tree-trimming contract listed by the BPU.

The council also scheduled a separate closed session for personnel goal-setting related to the County Attorney and County Manager.

Art in Public Places Advisory Board — July 23

The board planned to select a revised lion sculpture design by artist Daniel Borup and recommend commissioning the piece for the Police Station project, with a not-to-exceed budget of $75,000 (Item 21960-26). Additional items included discussion of Fire Station #4 artwork acquisition, adoption of a deaccession and relocation priority list, and approval of May 28, 2026 minutes.

Personnel Board — July 28

The Personnel Board meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026 was cancelled.

Coming up

• **Aug. 5 — Board of Public Utilities Work Session:** Public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-387 to amend water service rate schedules, plus presentations on UNM & NMSU Pathways to Zero Natural Gas Usage, the Electric Coordination Agreement, future Plug-in Solar Policy, and an annual wastewater systems update.
• **Aug. 5 — Historic Preservation Advisory Board:** Review and possible action on the 2026 Work Plan, plus approval of June 10, 2026 draft minutes.
• **Aug. 6 — Los Alamos County Health Council:** Presentation by Nick Boukas, Director of New Mexico's Behavioral Health Services Division, along with member project updates and approval of June 4, 2026 minutes.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are described from agendas only; minutes have not yet been published. Outcomes, vote tallies, and any amendments made during the meetings are not yet available in the record.

Los Alamos County boards weigh $2.5M software deal, utility rates, and downtown redevelopment

Six Los Alamos County boards and commissions met between July 14 and July 23, with agendas covering a $2.5 million software agreement, proposed gas and water rate changes, and a mixed-use redevelopment for downtown Los Alamos. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so outcomes are not confirmed; the items below reflect what each body was scheduled to consider.

County Council work session and closed session

The Council's July 14 work session included a possible approval of a three-year Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment Agreement through SHI International Corporation for up to $2,500,000. The consent agenda listed a $550,000 contract with BIGBYTE.cc for a remote disaster recovery data center and a Cooperative Use Agreement with NMDOT for the NM4 Crossing and Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project in White Rock. Presentations covered the Comprehensive Plan update, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board's 2026 work plan, a community performance dashboard, and operational excellence. A separate closed session was scheduled to discuss the purchase, acquisition, or disposal of real property (Item 21927-26) and threatened or pending litigation (Item 21928-26).

Board of Public Utilities

The BPU scheduled public hearings on July 22 for a gas service rate ordinance (No. 02-385) and water service rate schedules (No. 02-387). The board was also set to review a proposed power purchase agreement not to exceed $9,195,750.00 for August and September 2026, a $1,000,000.00 contract with Southwest Fire Defense, LLC for a seven-year power line tree trimming program, and a bid award to AUI, Inc. for $849,570.00 for LASS Cured in Place Piping. Proposed changes to the Utilities Assistance Program (DPU Rule GR-18) were also on the agenda.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Commission held public hearings July 22 on three applications. The first was a site-plan adoption for 1735 Central Avenue, proposing a mixed-use project with a boutique hotel, restaurant, food court, bar, retail, and event spaces in the Downtown Los Alamos (DTLA) district. The second was a site-plan adoption for a commercial parking lot at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive on approximately 1.70 acres to serve Los Alamos High School and a mobile food-vending court. A related variance request (VAR-2026-0019) sought to modify Type B Buffer Zone planting requirements for the parking lot and operation of nine mobile food-vending vehicles. No dollar amounts were listed for any of the applications. Desirae Lujan was listed as presenter for the Central Avenue application; Danyelle Valdez for the Diamond Drive applications.

Environmental Sustainability Board

The board's July 16 agenda included discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding a proposed single-use plastic bag ban ordinance, a quarterly update on Climate Action Plan implementation, and a preview of a biosolids composting update.

Arts in Public Places Advisory Board

On July 23, the board was scheduled to approve minutes from its May 28, 2026 meeting, then select a revised lion sculpture design by artist Daniel Borup and recommend commissioning the piece for the Police Station project with a not-to-exceed budget of $75,000 (Item 21960-26). Additional items included discussion of Fire Station #4 artwork acquisition, acceptance of a deaccession and relocation priority list, and review of pending items including gate plaque and mosaic plaque drafts.

Coming up

• **July 28 — County Council Regular Session:** Public hearing on Ordinance No. 02-371 amending the Development Code (ZCA-2026-0019); resolution to temporarily relocate a voter convenience center for the November 3, 2026 general election; discussion of a $1,179,113.46 amendment for Olympic Pool mechanical improvements; consent items including a $9,195,750.00 power purchase agreement and a $1,000,000.00 tree trimming contract.
• **July 28 — County Council Closed Session:** Goal setting for the County Attorney and County Manager.
• **July 28 — Personnel Board:** Meeting cancelled.
• **August 6 — Health Council:** Presentation by Nick Boukas, Director of New Mexico's Behavioral Health Services Division, plus member project updates and approval of June 4, 2026 minutes.

County Council weighed $35M bond and $2.5M software deal; boards eyed plastic bag ban and playground relocation

Los Alamos County's advisory boards and council held a busy stretch of meetings in early July, with agendas touching on a potential $35,000,000 infrastructure bond, a $2,500,000 software agreement, and a possible single-use plastic bag ban. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, outcomes — including whether items were approved, tabled, or rejected — are not yet available in the public record.

County Council — Regular Session (July 7)

The council's regular session agenda included a public hearing on issuing up to $35,000,000 in gross receipts tax improvement revenue bonds for Fire Station 4, fire safety facilities, and other public infrastructure. Also on the agenda were public hearings on two charter amendments — one changing standing boards and commissions, another prioritizing budgeted expenditures — and a resolution to apply for $7,271,004 in federal transit funds for Atomic City Transit. The council was also scheduled to introduce a code ordinance amending Development Code review procedures and to discuss expanding recycling services. No vote tallies or outcomes are available yet.

County Council — Work Session and Closed Session (July 14)

The work session agenda listed possible approval of a three-year Microsoft Enterprise Enrollment Agreement through SHI International Corporation for up to $2,500,000. Consent agenda items included a $550,000 contract with BIGBYTE.cc for a remote disaster recovery data center site and a cooperative use agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the NM4 Crossing and Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project in White Rock. Presentations were scheduled on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board's 2026 work plan, the Board of Public Utilities, a community performance dashboard, the Comprehensive Plan update, and operational excellence.

A separate closed session was scheduled to discuss the purchase, acquisition, or disposal of real property (Item 21927-26) and threatened or pending litigation (Item 21928-26), pursuant to state statutes on confidential discussions.

Environmental Sustainability Board (July 16)

The board's agenda included discussion and possible action on a recommendation for a single-use plastic bag ban ordinance. Members were also scheduled to receive a quarterly update on Climate Action Plan implementation and a preview of a biosolids composting update.

Parks and Recreation Board (July 9)

The board was set to approve minutes from its June 11 meeting and discuss the relocation and rezoning of Grand Canyon Playground. The agenda also included a presentation on the Los Alamos Mesa Trail Rehabilitation Project, work group and task force updates, and a communication from Councilor Cull.

Library Board (July 6)

The Library Board's agenda consisted of electing officers and approving minutes from the June 1, 2026, meeting, along with reports from the chair, the manager, and the Friends of Los Alamos County Library liaison.

Coming up

• **Board of Public Utilities — July 22:** Public hearings on gas service rate ordinance (No. 02-385) and water service rate schedules (No. 02-387). Also on the agenda: a proposed power purchase agreement not to exceed $9,195,750.00 for August and September 2026, a $1,000,000.00 contract with Southwest Fire Defense, LLC for seven-year power line tree trimming, a bid award to AUI, Inc. for $849,570.00 for LASS Cured in Place Piping, and proposed changes to the Utilities Assistance Program (DPU Rule GR-18).
• **Planning and Zoning Commission — July 22:** Public hearings on a site-plan adoption for 1735 Central Avenue, a mixed-use project in the Downtown Los Alamos district, and a site-plan adoption for a commercial parking lot at 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive, plus a variance request (VAR-2026-0019) to modify buffer-zone planting requirements. No dollar amounts are listed for the applications.
• **Arts in Public Places Advisory Board — July 23:** Selection of a revised lion sculpture design by artist Daniel Borup for the Police Station project, with a not-to-exceed budget of $75,000, plus discussion of Fire Station #4 artwork and adoption of a deaccession and relocation priority list.
• **Personnel Board — July 28:** This meeting has been cancelled.